BBP Flowcharts for classification, packaging, labelling and treatment of biological solid & liquid waste

Many of us are confronted with questions on classification, packaging, labelling and treatment of biological waste. On the BBP website you can find a decision tree and guidance note not only for solid waste but also, since recently, one for liquid waste. Both practical guides have been developed by the BBP Task Force Waste.

Updates published on the BBP website

Recently SBB has published several updates on their website.

• The nematode Heterodera glycines has been downscaled from risk class 3 to 2 for plants.
• Likewise, the Hepatitis E virus has been downscaled from risk class 3 to 2 for humans to be conform with the legislation on well-being at work (Codex Book VII).

Combined lists of pathogens & dual use organisms

The Dutch Bureau Biosecurity has published tables combining information on the biosafety and biosecurity classification (I.e. listed as dual use and/or select agents) of human & animal pathogens and plant pathogens at a glance.

Status of in vitro mutagenesis products

Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms defines a common methodology to evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, the risks for the environment associated with the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the common objectives for monitoring GMOs after their voluntary release or their placing on the market. Those rules provide, among others, for an evaluation prior to placing on the market, an authorisation, labelling or monitoring after marketing. That directive, however, includes an exemption meaning that certain techniques/methods of mutagenesis fall outside its scope. The European Court of Justice has recently issued a “preliminary ruling” (a statement on how European Union law should be interpreted by the member states), indicating that organisms obtained by the in vitro application of a technique/method of mutagenesis which has conventionally been used in a number of in vivo applications and has a long safety record with regard to those applications are excluded from the scope of directive 2001/18/EC.

For more detail, reference is made to: https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2023-02/cp230022en.pdf

International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS)

The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) is working with international stakeholders to establish the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS), an independent organization dedicated to reducing emerging biological risks associated with technology advances. A core element of the IBBIS mission will be to strengthen international biosecurity norms and develop innovative, practical tools and incentives to uphold them. IBBIS will initially focus on preventing the misuse of DNA synthesis technology and complement, among others the work of the World Health Organization and other international organizations.

For more information, reference is made to https://www.nti.org/about/programs-projects/project/international-biosafety-and-biosecurity-initiative-for-science-ibbis/